and then if Roy looks okay do we make any moves? it has big time ramifications for our future and possible trades and such. If he's hobbled again after a few weeks that provides key info as he much more likely could be done as a player, conversely if he plays at a "solid" level and can contribute 20-25 minutes for several weeks, all of a sudden we have to include him as part of our future.
You can't make any moves based on what you see out of Brandon Roy between now and the deadline. Even if (and it's hard to imagine) he comes out of the gate tearing it up. You just don't know if his knee will allow that to last, and for how long. He's purely a wildcard at this point. I'm excited to see Roy and LA play together. After everything they've been through, I don't think we'll see egos clash. I saw Roy on the bench last night going nuts when LA was pouring it on in the 4th quarter. He could be imagining how LA's transformation is going to make life easier for him. Let's say Brandon is able to start and play 30 minutes/game after a while. Does LA continue to average 21 ppg? Maybe not. Maybe it's 18-19 like he's done before, but HOW and WHEN he gets his points could be different than when they played together before. Instead of sticking 5 or 6 jumpers in the first quarter and being silent the rest of the night, LA has proven he can be a beast in the blocks AND in the 4th quarter. It's not all about numbers. If defenses have to worry about stopping LA down low and Roy on the perimeter then it opens things up. We were so 1 dimensional before - all jumpers (including LA) or Brandon going 1 on 1. That's not the case anymore.
New nickname? "Roy .5" Roy is at most 50% of what he was. On his best nights, he'll be a second Rudy.
I really don't get why people are labeling Roy was being "%" of what he was. He isnt' gonna be the Roy of 2008 but we don't know what he will be. Saying he is half the player or 1/3rd the player he used to be is just stupid tell we actually get him out there and see how he is going to be playing. And as for him being a "secound Rudy" the two guys games are COMPLETELY different and will still be completely different no matter what happens to Roy.
I predict they'll become similar, except that Roy won't be able to play as hard as Rudy. Roy's wheels for the inside game are gone, and without them, he isn't as good of an outside shooter either. He will have to become a busy garbageman like Rudy, helping others. But his knees aren't as agile as Rudy's.
My plan: 1) Keep Roy from playing, and bench LMA. Then Batum will learn to be the man. Let's say that takes the rest of the season. 2) Next year, we put Batum on the bench and Oden gets to be the man. 3) around this time next year, we bring back Roy, LMA, Batum to play w/ Oden - 4 go-to guys. 4) ??? 5) Profit. barfo
I think we are missing something so (possibly) obvious: Buck Williams Perhaps LMA is finally being "coached" - - I note his move toward the baseline as an example. This was non-existent prior to this season.... And his recent display of tenancity - has Buck Williams written all over this. Takers?
Is Buck Williams coaching for the blazers this year? That actually sounds slightly familiar, but I think I forgot all about it. Have I missed every time they show him on the bench? Or is he invisible? barfo
wears a bow-tie every game....no longer with the beard he sported back when he played. Basketball Operations Head Coach Nate McMillan Assistant Coaches Bernie Bickerstaff, Bob Ociepka, Bill Bayno, Buck Williams, Kaleb Canales
Just so versatile. [video=youtube;OfgJLmlaQ58]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfgJLmlaQ58[/video] And I love that he's getting to the line. [video=youtube;FCUM7-RaaWQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCUM7-RaaWQ[/video]
I think the temptation for him will be to add two more feet of range to his jumper, so he can hit threes. I hope we help him fight that urge. I'd like him to further focus on his low post game. Like Howard did last summer, I'd love to send him down to work with Olajuwon. Aldridge could learn the shake and the spin moves that make Dream so dominant.
Technically, that 3pt shot is more efficient than a 20 footer. I do want him to extend his range and bring that shot into his repertoire so that it can add a new facet to his game. Except unlike other Blazer PFs before him that fell in love with that shot, I want him to primarily stay inside, and only take the shot when the opportunity presents itself.
I don't disagree. As has been said many times, the shot just inside the three point line is the worst shot in basketball. My point is that rather than work to extend his range, I want him to focus on his low post game. Hell, I want him to work on his defense before he works on extending his range.
